Natural Gas Customers Advised to Use Caution

To ensure the safe
and efficient operation of natural gas equipment, Questar Gas reminds customers
to keep snow from burying exhaust and intake vents, and from piling up on
natural gas meters.

Natural
gas appliances such as furnaces and water heaters vent combustion byproducts to
the outside, and many of these appliances also get their combustion air from
the outside. Some intake and exhaust vents are on the roof, but many are near
ground level. Regardless, it’s important these vents are completely
unobstructed by ice or snow. Clear vents will keep pilot lights burning and
will allow appliances to operate safely and efficiently.

The
company also advises customers to be careful when shoveling snow off driveways,
sidewalks or roofs to avoid burying and possibly damaging natural gas meters. Piling snow onto the meter can damage it
and/or cover the regulator vent, causing the meter to malfunction. Significant
accumulation of snow on the meter should be carefully cleared away to ensure
proper operation. Customers are responsible for protecting the gas meter.

Also,
customers should not store or lean metal objects such as wheelbarrows, ladders,
trash cans, bicycles and/or gardening tools. When metal objects come in contact
with the meter, it interferes with the system that protects the meter and
associated piping from corrosion.

Keeping
meters free from snow and other obstacles also allows for easy access to the
shut-off valve in the event of an emergency.